W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This soft, plush puppy pull toy is marketed for infants as a “friend” who is “ready to roll.” The furry pet rests on two sets of red wooden wheels with blue hub caps. On June 16, 2015, certain lots of these toys were recalled because the hub caps “can break or come off at the wheel, posing a choking hazard for young children.” After issuance of the recall, a similar toy, purchased online, exhibited the same potential for the “choking hazard” identified in the government’s recall notice.

W.A.T.C.H. OUT. In today’s world, there is no excuse for outfitting children with realistic toy weapons designed to produce potentially dangerous and unnecessary thrills. Existing regulations addressing the hazards associated with such “toys” are inadequate. Detailed replicas have resulted in a number of deaths through the years and should never be sold as toys.

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This trampoline is sold in the toy aisle for children as young as 6-years-old. Remarkably, the package insert cautions, in part, as follows: “Landing on the head or neck can cause serious injury, paralysis, or death, even when landing in the middle of the bed.” Further, despite an instruction that the product be used “only with adult supervision,” a photo on the packaging shows a child bouncing alone. The many hazards associated with trampoline use should make it apparent to manufacturers and retailers that such equipment should not be sold as a playtime activity for young children.

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! It is difficult to envision the play value of a “toy” inviting children to “make your own poo!” so that it “looks like the real thing!” The product, which consists of a “poo mold” and three cans of brown “Poo-Dough compound,” contains an “allergy notice” on the throw-away packaging that the dough contains wheat. Allergic reactions to wheat include symptoms ranging from hives, headaches and difficulty breathing, to life-threatening anaphylaxis.

5. SPLAT X SMACK SHOT

W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $10.00
Manufacturer or Distributor: Imperial Toy LLC
Retailer(s): Walmart, Amazon.com, Kmart
Age Recommendation: “Ages 8+”
Warnings: “WARNING: Do not aim or shoot at people or animals”; “Launcher should never be aimed at eyes, face, people or animals”; “Anyone within close distance…should be alerted prior to firing…”; and other warnings

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR EYE INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “Smack Shot” is similar to a slingshot, and is sold with ammunition capable of firing “up to 100ft!” The many warnings and cautions include “alerting” anyone within “close distance to the intended target….”

6. KICK FLIPPER

W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $19.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Playsmart Inc.
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Learning Express
Age Recommendation: “5+”
Warnings: “CAUTION – Do not use on stairs, hills, or inclines”, and other cautions

POTENTIAL FOR HEAD AND IMPACT INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! The “Kick Flipper” is a rigid plastic board marketed to children “[l]ike a skateboard without wheels!” Young users are encouraged to “[l]earn tricks” and “Kick it! Flip it! Pop it!” The manufacturer makes no mention of safety gear, and the children pictured on the packaging are not wearing helmets or other protection.

7. LEONARDO’S ELECTRONIC STEALTH SWORD

W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $24.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Playmates International Company Ltd.
Retailer(s): Toys R Us, Amazon.com, Ebay
Age Recommendation: “Ages 4 and up”
Warnings: “WARNING. Not suitable for children under 3 years. Small parts”

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR BLUNT FORCE INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Young children are encouraged to engage in a “Ninja Battle” with this rigid, plastic sword associated with a well-known Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles character. The blade has the potential to cause facial or other impact injuries.

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! This multi-colored play set, sold for oral-age children, includes “everything you need to play doctor!” Among the medical devices included is a thin plastic “tongue depressor” measuring approximately 4¾ inches in length. Small children are effectively invited to introduce this implement into their mouths, presenting the potential to occlude the airway.

9. PULL ALONG ZEBRA

W.A.T.C.H.

Price: $20.99
Manufacturer or Distributor: Early Learning Centre
Retailer(s): Amazon.com, Kmart, Brookstone, Village Toy Shop
Age Recommendation: “12-36 months”
Warnings: “WARNING – Remember babies and young children have no idea what is dangerous or potentially harmful, so supervision is important….”

HAZARD: POTENTIAL FOR STRANGULATION AND ENTANGLEMENT INJURIES!

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! Despite the industry’s standard requiring strings on playpen and crib toys to be less than 12 inches in length, manufacturers are permitted to market “pull toys” like the “Pull Along Zebra”, with a cord measuring approximately 21 inches. The toy is intended for babies as young as 12 months old.

W.A.T.C.H. OUT! These oversized claws, based on images and characters from the popular Jurassic World franchise, are sold to enable 4-year-olds to “claw like a raptor!” No warnings or cautions are provided regarding the potential for eye and facial injuries.